Imagination plus improvisation plus invention equal a little yellow outreach bus, collaborative shows, and "Pop-Ups." The Museum of Northern California Art hopes to move into the Veterans Memorial Hall on The Esplanade after the three years it will take to fund and renovate that space.

Monca's "Pop- Ups" are temporary art installations in such non-traditional settings as the old Tower Record store at Second and Main.

"I saw a rental sign in the window of 215 Main Street and we called Alan Tochterman to ask if we could exhibit in his empty space," said Pat Macias, monca board president. "'Yes!' he said, without a second's hesitation, and he was so generous that we are in free through October, including utilities."

The Main Street "Pop-Up's" two exhibits are "Through the Eyes of the Collector," art from Reed Applegate's collection, and "Art from Many Minds," art by the homeless, developmentally disabled, and by people with Alzheimer's.

Macias curated the second exhibit based upon her own Torres Shelter students, Alan Carrier's students at Arc of Butte County, and on art by people in a memory-loss study by CSUC Fulbright scholar Eduardo Gonzales.

"My students are always eager to come to classes — for a few hours they don't have to think about anything but making art," Macias said.

Chicoan Judy Kane was showing downtown sights to Kathleen Wain, a visitor from Los Angeles, when the monca "Pop-Up" sign drew them in.

"It struck us as so innovative to make an art show available to shoppers — what a welcome respite from our technology-laden lives," said Kane, a special education teacher. "Judy and I are cheerleaders for art. I love the 'Pop-Up' mix of art by professionals and by people with Alzheimer's who are still able to depict fond memories.

"Art making is so healing and such a basic human urge. This exhibit gives a voice to people who don't often have one."

The second "Pop-Up" display features selections from the Reed Applegate collection that forms monca's foundation.

More than 40 years ago, Applegate took on the arduous task of developing a high-quality collection with limited funds because he believed in art's profound social importance.

"Art lets us see the world through someone else's eyes and broadens our viewpoints," Applegate said.

In the mid-60s, when he was a CSUC art student with little money, Applegate began to acquire art through trades with fellow artists. As he prospered, the desire grew in him to establish as a legacy to his place of birth "a museum based upon a collection that supports local artists."

Gradually, he made purchases from fine Chico artists such as John Ayres, Richard Hornaday, Janet Turner and Ann Pierce. He also included nationally-famous Northern California artists including Wayne Thiebaud "to attract visitors who will also see a lot of great art produced locally that hasn't gotten the recognition it deserves."

Macias shares Applegate's passion for art.

"Art is being cut from school offerings at all levels just when it is needed more than ever," she said. "These days, businesses look for employees who can problem solve and come up with creative ideas. Of course math and science are important, but art is what glues everything together."

In this time of art-scarcity in schools, monca's outreach programs nourish art-hungry kids through classroom visits.

"Children are eager to look at original art," Macias said. "I'll be walking downtown and a child will run up to hug the monca lady — that's me."

Every Saturday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in October, parents can bring children to the "Pop Up" on Main Street for drop-in art classes. The kids will tackle Treasure Hunts to count the number of animals in the exhibit, for example. They will also receive art instruction and use of supplies.

The fees of $5 for one child and $10 for a family go to monca's educational outreach program.

"As a monca volunteer, I am supporting something the Chico community needs," monca Secretary Trudy Dusenberg said. "As an example, passersby were knocking on the door hoping to come in while we were still installing this 'Pop-Up' Show."